Soooo much to tell (and show) you :o)!!

Great news …… Bear is finally out of her brace!!! YAY!!!! This piccy is entirely symbolic you understand ….. we really need to hang on to this rather expensive contraption just in case (Heaven forbid) it should ever happen again!!! But she was happy to “throw it away” for the camera ;o)!! Poor thing is still not game to sleep without it yet … but I’m sure that will happen soon :o)!!

On a ‘not so good’ note ….. I found out recently that one of my store samples of my “Ric Rac and Roses” pattern has been pinched!!! Now, although I’m quite cross that someone would do that, I do always try to look on the bright side …. she must have liked it soooo much that she just HAD to have it :o/. Still no excuse for stealing though is it!!??! Anyway, if you should happen to spy the above bag anywhere, you’ll know it was most likely ill-gotten gains!! The one below is the one I made to replace it ….. not as pretty I don’t think, but I still like it. Just have to stitch the little lacy decals on and it’s done.The original had some really pretty ceramic rosy buttons ….. I must try to find some more of those.

I got a wonderful surprise from the mail man last week …. look what he brought me ……… These came all the way from UK … from Maria!!! Maria was my Stitcher’s Angel partner last year and we’ve kept in touch throughout the months. I’ll be visiting Maria for sure when we go over to UK next year – can’t wait :o)!!! The parcels will go under my Chrissy Tree to be opened on Christmas Day. Thanks so much Maria … I’m so glad we ‘met’ through the SA swap :o)!!

My DH and I went for a lovely drive up the coast ~ well, almost to the coast …. to Buderim, home of Buderim Patchwork!! A couple of weeks ago I was the very lucky winner of this fabulous apron made by Andrea. ….so when I found out that there was going to be a HUGE Christmas Craft Fair up there I just had to go …. and the added bonus was that I got to meet the lovely Andrea :o)…. ….. and Sheila :o) ….and lots more of the gawjus ladies from Buderim patchwork. There were loads of stalls and fabulous handwork items to be bought, we got a few Chrissy pressies for family (no piccies in case they see them) and also a couple of things for ourselves … all handmade!!How cute is that angel tree decoration …. and the cutting board, it was from the seller’s Grandmothers house. It was looking a bit sad, so I gave it a bit of a spruce up and look at it now …………… just like new!!!!… and also some very delicious baked goods …. yummmm!!! Sorry, no piccies of those , but they tasted great :o)!!! I also got some fantastic news from Andrea yesterday that I’d won first prize in their fabulous birthday giveaway!!! Thanks so much to Andrea and all the ladies at Buderim Patchwork – so excited!!!

I have some a couple of dear friends that I stitch with on a Wednesday … and this week only Valerie (no blog) could come, so our dear Bear was kind enough to fill in for Lynn :o). Here they are making some little surprise Christmas gifties for ??????. Don’t they look like they’re deep in concentration lol!!!??!

I’ve been getting a bit of stitching done to, but it’s a secret (shhhh) cos I know the lovely lady it’s for reads my blog!!! Sooo, this is all you get to see ;o) ……. Well, I think that’s all the news I have …. goodness, did you fall asleep reading all that – he he, I think my typing fingers are cramping up LOL???? He he … what a looooooong post!!!!

Take care and enjoy the rest of your weekend!!!

Hugs,

Joy :o)

My First Giveaway - Ric Rac and Roses!!!!!

Woohoo!!!! It's done :o)!!!

DH is still painting, DD2 has gone shopping which has left me to do pretty much what I pleased (almost) all day ..... so, I finished writing up my pattern. And to celebrate ... as promised .... I'm going to have a giveaway!!! My first blog giveaway ... how exciting!!! :o)

So here's the piccy of "Ric Rac and Roses"

... the base is circular and the bag stands about 12 1/2" (without the handles). There are 4 pockets on the outside and another larger pocket on the inside for your bits and bobs ... also space for your mobile phone and another for your sunglasses, or your ipod, or even another phone if you want ;o). I've stitched some cute hand dyed guipure lace motifs onto mine - just cos I love them and I also used some gorgeous ceramic buttons (that I bought at the Stitches and Craft show last year) on the pockets - which are also sporting some pretty cute ric rac braid chosen by Sophie (see previous post).

Ok, so let's make it fun. How about you tell me (and everyone else who visits my blog) what's the strangest thing you keep in your handbag/purse??? It really doesn't make any difference to the results of the giveaway cos I'll just be drawing the winners out of a hat, so you really don't have to tell if you don't want to.

I'll give away 2 "Ric Rac and Roses" patterns and I'll do the draw on Sunday night ... AND ... if you mention this giveaway on your blog and link it back to here I'll put your name in twice!!! Cool huh??

Ok, so go and tip out the contents of your handbag and get back to me :o).

Talk soon .... take care,

Joy :o)